If I Can Do It...

Wow, has my life changed in the last year and a half. You can probably tell from my pictures. Seriously, what’s with the mullet hairstyle in the before pic? Oh well, that was an easy fix. My body, on the other hand, a bit more of a project.

Prior to getting pregnant with my first child, I “worked out” in between going to nursing school and then Occupational Therapy school, working full time with developmentally disabled people and bartending in the evenings. I enjoyed “working out” but as soon as I was pregnant, I lost every bit of motivation to exercise. Maybe some of you can relate.

Two kids later, I was sick of feeling and looking like I had just given birth to a baby even though my second was more than a year old. I went to Craig and Marshall in the condition you see in the first picture. I was addicted after the first class and instantly knew Barefoot Fitness was going to change not only my body, but my life if I let it.

I could have made tons of excuses why I shouldn’t stick with it. Money, soreness, schedule blah, blah, blah…but I wanted it too much. How badly do you want to change your body and your life?

Does it take time and hard work? Of course it does, but I can tell you it's worth it. Not only do I live a healthy lifestyle now but so does my family. My kids know what protein shakes are, think sliced veggies and fruit are snacks and watch me doing mile tire drags for fun. A little bit better than McDonald’s and TV, don’t ya think?

American kids are suffering from an obesity epidemic and may not live as long as their parents generation. But I know that by teaching them through example I've protected my children from this fate, and even more than fitting into the same jeans I wore in college or my hundred pullup workouts, that makes me sleep contented at night.

I really debated posting this before picture because, well, it’s embarrassing. But I did it because I want to help others reach their goals the way Craig and Marshall have helped me reach mine. Where you are now does not have to be where you are tomorrow or next month. Never in a million years did I think I could do even a single pullup without assistance. I can now do 100 bodyweight pullups in less than twenty minutes.

I am grateful beyond words for the opportunity Craig has given me to own and operate the Barefoot Fitness in Spearfish. It's my passion and I can honestly say I love what I do, even if it does mean getting up at 4 a.m.

Every day I give people the tools to make their own transformations and even more rewarding than going through it myself is watching others go through the same process and knowing what it feels like. Every once in a while we do eight week fat loss contests, using DEXA scans to measure results. At each one, the winners have cut the amount of fat on their body by at least 25%. That's an amazing thing to be a part of.

I am here to help any of you who are ready to change your life too. Just say the word!

Kelli, Thank you for sharing your photos and your story. It does inspire me beyond words. But I also want you to know how very very proud I am of you and the lifestyle changes you have made to get here. I know it is not easy, but it is a learned new life style that works!! It shows true dedication. You can only do this program and believe in it, if it is something that has personally worked for you. If you had already been in shape you would not have your story or photos to share. Thank you !!